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Interim HR Director – Find Experienced HR Leadership on Demand
Are you looking for an experienced HR leader at short notice? HR Consultants can provide you with an Interim HR Director within just a few days – an experienced senior executive who takes responsibility for your HR function, leads your HR team and makes an immediate impact from day one.
25+ years
Market experience in HR & Finance since 1998
2,500+
Personally qualified Interim Managers in our network
4,7 ★
Top-rated by kununu and our clients
Our Experience: Why Choose an Interim HR Director with HR Consultants?
An unfilled HR leadership position costs your company momentum, confidence and leadership every day. With more than 25 years of market experience, we have successfully filled assignments for corporations, mid-sized companies and private equity portfolios – from short-term sickness cover to reorganizations, carve-outs and HR support during periods of growth.
“A good Interim HR Director is more than a temporary solution. When selecting candidates, we make sure they have successfully delivered strategically important HR projects, led their teams with confidence and made sound decisions from day one when working with both the executive board and the works council. Operational understanding and a hands-on mentality are equally important.”
Managing Director, HR-Consultants GmbH
Why We Are the Right Choice
Specialized in HR
We have been filling HR assignments for more than 25 years. This focus enables us to identify candidates who are the right fit for your company both professionally and culturally.
Fast and Flexible
From more than 2,500 prequalified senior profiles, we can provide you with suitable candidates at short notice – without lengthy briefing processes.
Quality Assurance
We know every one of our candidates personally. Once an assignment starts, we actively support the engagement to ensure high-quality results.
“I have rarely experienced an HR Director who was able to identify so quickly with our company's objectives and, as a result, be both a role model and a source of support for employees.”
Petra Frenzel
Former Managing Director PeopleSoft Central Europe GmbH
and Aspect Telecommunication
Responsibilities: What does an HR Director do?
An HR Director manages the HR function at both a strategic and operational level, leads the entire HR team and acts as a direct sparring partner to executive management. They connect the company's objectives with the day-to-day reality of managers and employees.
Key responsibilities include:
- Developing and implementing an HR roadmap that directly supports the business strategy
- Disciplinary and functional leadership of HR areas ranging from recruiting and compensation & benefits to talent development and HR operations
- Constructive cooperation with works councils and social partners, including collective bargaining and employment law matters
- Driving change, transformation and reorganization programs – from conception through implementation
A strong Interim HR Director brings expertise in:
- Leadership experience in mid-sized or corporate HR organizations
- In-depth knowledge of employment and collective bargaining law
- Talent and performance management
- Change management experience
- Confident use of HR IT platforms such as SAP SuccessFactors, Workday or Personio
Use Cases: When Do You Need an Interim HR Director?
Our clients use Interim HR Directors in a variety of situations:
Covering a Sudden Vacancy
In the event of illness, resignation or a sabbatical, an Interim HR Director keeps your HR team fully operational and ensures continuity of ongoing activities until a permanent replacement is found.
Restructuring & Transformation
During reorganizations, carve-outs, M&A integrations or periods of rapid growth, an experienced Interim Manager brings the necessary external perspective and experience to implement even challenging changes with sensitivity and confidence.
Strategic Special Projects
Whether opening a new location, expanding internationally, conducting collective bargaining negotiations or implementing an HR suite – Interim Management provides the senior-level capacity you need without creating an additional permanent position.
Daily Rates: How Much Does an Interim HR Director Cost?
Market-based day rates for Interim HR Directors typically range from €1,500 to €2,000, depending on company size, assignment duration, international scope and the required level of seniority.
Flexible Contract Models & No Hidden Costs
We work with an open and transparent pricing model: before every assignment, you know how the day rate is calculated and which terms and conditions apply. This means no surprises, but full cost predictability – from the initial discussion through to the end of the assignment.
Benefits: Why an Interim HR Director Makes Sense
At first glance, day rates may appear high. However, when total cost of ownership and risk are taken into account, it quickly becomes clear that Interim Management is an investment in speed, stability and quality of results.
Interim Management vs. Permanent Employment
An unfilled HR leadership position costs your company every month. While a traditional executive search can easily take six to nine months, an Interim HR Director can take over within just a few weeks.
When you compare this speed with the actual costs associated with a permanent hire – including social security contributions, bonuses, severance risks and the ongoing costs of unresolved HR issues – an interim assignment often pays off within just a few months.
Interim Management vs. Management Consulting
An Interim HR Director is not just a strategist, but a hands-on leader. They approach HR conceptually at consulting level while simultaneously taking line responsibility within your organization, leading the team and making decisions themselves.
Where a traditional consultancy leaves the organization with recommendations, an Interim Manager remains in the assignment until the change has actually been implemented and embedded within the organization.
Ulrich Naumann summarizes the difference: “Consultants deliver the analysis. Interim Managers deliver the results.”
Companies notice the difference within the first few days: the HR team regains clear leadership, open issues are prioritized and HR once again has a strong voice at the executive management table. The result is not only a visibly stronger HR function, but also a more reliable implementation of your business objectives
Benefit from More Than 25 Years of HR Industry Experience
Since 1998, we have specialized in recruitment and placement in the HR sector. We have successfully filled numerous management and expert positions in mid-sized companies, corporations and international organizations.
Next Steps: How to Find the Right HR Director
- Needs Analysis
In a personal consultation, we jointly define the assignment, reporting lines and key areas of expertise required.
- Candidate Selection
Within 48 hours, we present you with three to four suitable senior candidates, including our assessment of each profile.
- Meet the Candidates
You meet your preferred candidates personally. If required, we facilitate the process and support you in making your decision.
- Project Start
The selected HR Director starts the assignment directly and takes responsibility for your HR function.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much does an Interim HR Director cost?
Market-based day rates typically range from €1,500 to €2,000, depending on the industry, assignment duration and level of seniority.
How quickly is an Interim HR Director available?
Thanks to our actively maintained network of senior professionals, this usually takes just a few business days—or even less in urgent cases.
What does an Interim HR Director do?
An Interim HR Director leads the HR team, manages strategic and operational HR topics and represents the HR function in discussions with executive management, the works council and social partners. They often also drive ongoing transformation initiatives.
How does HR Consultants differ from other providers?
We exclusively fill HR assignments and know our candidates personally. Through Ulrich Naumann's senior network, you gain access to HR Directors who combine strong professional expertise with the personality and leadership qualities required to work effectively with your top management.